This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
The NBA brings plenty of action to the table with 11 games on the schedule. There's potential for a few blowouts, including the Jazz facing the Pistons and the Warriors hosting the Rockets. There are plenty of exciting matchups such as the Bucks versus the Bulls. Chicago got back Alex Caruso from injury Wednesday, but they embark on a three-game road trip without the services of Zach LaVine (knee) and Lonzo Ball (knee). Let's highlight some players to consider for your Yahoo lineups, as well as a few to potentially avoid.
GUARDS
Ja Morant, MEM at DEN ($41): The Grizzlies are playing shorthanded with Tyus Jones, Desmond Bane and Kyle Anderson all in the health and safety protocols while Dillon Brooks (ankle) remains out. Morant fell two rebounds short of a triple-double on Wednesday with all those players sidelined and produced 62.6 Yahoo points against the Bucks. Expect him to once again carry the team in this contest.
Jordan Poole, GS vs. HOU ($17): This is the second game of a back-to-back for the Warriors, so Klay Thompson will sit out for rest. With Thompson back, Poole has been shifted into a reserve role. He should play more tonight, which makes him intriguing against a Rockets team that comes in with the league's worst defensive rating.
Guard to Avoid
Mike Conley Jr., UTA vs. DET ($24): Conley has been quiet with 26.8 Y! or fewer in four of the last seven outings. His scoring average is down to 14.0 points per game, which would be his lowest mark since 2011-12. If this matchup gets out of hand, Conley could sit more on the bench in the second half and that would further limit his upside.
FORWARDS
Jimmy Butler, MIA at ATL ($43): Butler was ejected after only logging 15 minutes against the Trail Blazers on Wednesday. The Heat will really need him to stay on the floor tonight with Kyle Lowry (personal) and Tyler Herro (COVID-19) both out. As long as Butler doesn't get tossed again, an expanded role against a Hawks team that carries the third-worst defensive rating could leave him with a monster stat line.
John Konchar, MEM at DEN ($12): With the Grizzlies missing many key players, Konchar started and played 32 minutes Wednesday. While he didn't score much, his contributions elsewhere enabled him to racked up 26.9 Y!. There's a high likelihood Konchar sees similar court time tonight, so he's an intriguing option at near the minimum salary.
Forward to Avoid
Al Horford, BOS vs. POR ($22): Horford recently had a stretch where he scored fewer than 20 Y! in five straight. He hasn't recently been that bad, but he hasn't exactly been great with no more than 29 Y! over three outings. With so many viable options on this slate, Horford may be someone to pass on.
CENTERS
Bobby Portis, MIL vs. CHI ($25): The Bulls aren't just hurting at the guard position. They're also without their top three power forwards, so they've had to play small a lot more than they'd probably like to. Portis dominated his former team over two games last season averaging 14.5 points and 13.0 rebounds. Now a fixture within the Bucks' starting five, he could give the Bulls similar problems in their first meeting this campaign.
Jakob Poeltl, SA vs. BKN ($25): Poeltl might not be flashy, but he's been consistent with at least 30.9 Y! across 12 consecutive contests while surpassing 40 in two. He dropped 43.9 the last time these clubs met and should be expected to offer a relatively high floor in this rematch.
Center to Avoid
Andre Drummond, PHI vs. LAC ($27): As long as Joel Embiid is playing, Drummond is likely to be limited. With Embiid rolling, Drummond has scored 23.6 Y! or fewer in five straight. Portis and Poeltl carry significantly larger roles for their respective teams and both enter with a slightly cheaper salary, so there's no need to take a chance on Drummond.
